Switch-key.



F. E. MUNSELL. SWITCH KEY.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2. 1013.

1,1 15,720. Patented 131m. 3. 1914 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK E. MUNSELI}, OF HAMILTON, MISSOURI.

' SWITCH-KEY.

Specification 0; Letters Patent.

Application filed June 2, 1913. Serial No. 771,287.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK E. MUNSELL, a citizen of the United-States, residing at Hamilton, in the county of Caldwell and .State of Missouri, have invented certain new view, partly in section 0 a key embodying my invention. Fig. 9 an enlarged view of the plunger contact holder and plunger. Fig. 3 is a view of the contact spring used in the key. i

The same figures of reference denote the same parts wherever they are shown.

The key table 1 supports the frame 2 carrying the block 3 of insulating material. A convenient form for the frame is that of a tube having a flange at the top: or it may be a stirrup-shaped piece. The exact form is immaterial. In 3 are driven a number of plunger holders 4, one for each circuit connection to' the key-switch. In each of these is placed a contact plunger 6, having a spring 7 attached to it, which has an end 8 adapted to be drawn through hole 9 in the holder and soldercd,thereby forming a positive connection. .Cjrcuit wires 10 are soldered. to the downwardly rojecting ends of the holder-s4. Any suita is form of key is now mounted above the plungers, the springs of said key being so disposed or forme'das to make contact with said plun-' gers when the key is in position. Fig. l

v sity of handling the wires shows a well known form of key, provided ties formed as shown at 12. When the es cutcheon plate 13 carrying this key is clamped on frame 2 by bolts 14 and 15, or in any other manner, it is obvious that the key springs 11 will be in electrical connection with their respective circuit wires 10, through plungers 6 and their mounting tubes. -And it is obvious that the key be removed and replaced without the-neces- 10, and that the contacts between 6 and 12 will alwa s be correctly made, there being no possibility of IVhile I have shown but one form of con struction it is obvious that my invention may be utilized in various ways without departing from the broad plan as herein dircloscd of mounting a switch key above suitable toiu'h-contact, nn-mbers thereby eliminating soldered or screw cunnectiohs to the key proper. A modification from the form shown would be to omit the frame 2 and carry piece 3 and the parts it supports on the bottom of the usual key shelf, and support the key proper above it. All such modifications I deem within the scope of my invention.

I claim In a switch'key, a suitably supported frame, cylindrical plunger holders carried by said frame, resiliently actuated plungers mounted in said holders, an escutcheon reniovably secured to said frame, and a key carried by said cscutchcon and adapted to contact said plungcrs.

In testimony hereof l hereunto aliix my ignature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK E. MUNSELL.

'itncsscs:

Patented N 0v, 3, 1914.

with springs 11 having their lower extremimay 

